Construction of punching and die plates for inlaid-linoleum machines.



t c. H. SCOTT. CONSTRUCTION 0F PUNCHING AND DIE PLATES FOR INLAID LINOLEUNI MACHINES.

I APPLICATION FILED DEC. I0 19H.

1,260,820. Patented Mar. 26,1918.

AYAYAY' n ries,

cnnrtnnsrinnnunr sco'rr, or erouonsfrnn, ENGLAND.

Lacasse.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar; 26, i918.

Application filed December 10, 1914. Serial No. 876,594.

2l; all whom/15 may concern:

Ee it known that l, CHARLES HERBERT a subject 0f the ng of Britain, residing in Gloucester, England, `have invented certain new and useul improve monts in the Construction lof Punching and Die Plates for 'inlaid-Linoleum ll/lachi-nes, of which the following is a specitication.

This invention relates to apparatus for punching` or stamping the tesserae of didcrent solid-color linoleums required inf the Vmanufacture of inlaid linoleum, and it is designed to. provide punch and die plates which may be altered'to produce tessere of diiferent or diiferently-arranged, patterns; the invention being specially devised? for use in linoleum machines of the type shown and described in my prior Patent, No, 1,173,875, issued February 29, 1916. i

In machinery of thel character specified, it is customary, as` explained lin my aforesaid patent, to utilize, in addition to a templet, a flat, metal die or pattern plate having apertures through or into which the tesserae conform to different patterns;

are stamped by punches onV a punch plate and deposited in position on the canvas backing; and 1t is also usual to rigidly secure the punches to; a; foundation plate or other carrier of some sort. ln consequence, when it is desired to change the pattern, it becomes necessary not; only to provide a neu7 punch plate Whereon the punches are an ranged in accordance With thenew pattern, but also to construct a complete new die plate having its openings or apertures conforming tosuch pattern, a fresh templet being likewise required, so that the proceeding, as a Whole, involves considerable/,time and trouble,l as Well as expense.

The present invention has been designed with the object of overcoming this defect by constructing both' thedie pla-te and the punch plate 'of `a number of similar symmetrical blocks, which, are mounted upon suitable foundation plates-in, such a Way fas tolbecapable of re-arrangementin order to According tothe invention, the blocks or punchc` @1re solid, and those on he` die plate are so arranged that the spaces left between' them exactly correspond in size,4 shape andrelative positions to the tesserae of any single color in a. finished. linoleum: of the `particular pattern to be produced. Colisequently, these Spastakethe place of, the openings or apertures of the die plates formerly used; and` since the blocks are capaloleof interchangeable arrangement on their carrier plate, it Willbe apparentY that by merely `changing the relative positions of the blocks, the size, shape and positions of the spaces will be correspondingly varied, so that the same set of blocks and can rier can thus bc used for any number of dif'- ferent patterns, and the expense of constructing a separate plate for each pattern as has heretofore been necessary, is completely obviated. As regards the punch plate, the blocks thereon, hereinafter termed the punch blocks, enter into the space between those on the die plate, just as in the former con'- struction they entered Vthe openings in the die pla-te, when the two plates are moved toward each other; it being understood, of course, that the punch blocks are capable of arrangement on their carrier in the same way as the die blocks, with the exception that they are positioned to stamp or punch out the tesserae and force them into the above-mentioned spaces, so that the two sets of blocks have, in a sense, a complcmenta'l arrangement.

ln addition to the foregoing, the invention also resides in the provision of devices for ejecting the tesserte from the spaces between the die blocks and depositing them on the canvas backing in the exact positions and relations required for the finished linoleum; the ejector-s, like the die and punch blocks, being capable of variable arrangement on the die bloclr carrier, to conforijn" to the'pattern being followed.

@ther and further features and advantages-Will present themselves as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, inwhich one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

ln said drawing:

Figure l is as vertical cross-section of a pair Vof coperating punch and die plates constructed according to the invention, the section being taken on line l-l, F 2.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan View of the die plate, taken on line 2-2`,Fig. l. l

Fig, 3 is aV fragmental perspective view, partly inA vertical section, of a grid which may be utilized in conjunction with the die plate. i

Fig'. l is a detail vieW largely diagrammatic, showing a die block iitted in one of the pockets ofthe aforesaid grid.

Referring` more particularly-to said drawing, there is shown an arrangement adapted to produce a pattern composed of squares or combinations of squares, though vsuch showing is, of course, purely arbitrary and is given merely by way of example. The die and punch plates represented are primarily designed for use in, or as a part of,

the apparatus disclosed in my aforesaid Pat ent, No. 1,173,875, in place of the corresponding' plates therein comprised, as previously stated, reference to said patent being made in order to connect it with' the present invention and in order that it may be referred to for a complete description of the apparatus as a whole, and its manner of operating.

The two plates represented in Fig. 1 are arranged horizontally in superposed relation, and are adapted to be brought together to effect the punching operation by means of the mechanism shown in the patent, or by other suitable devices, the upper or die plate constituting the stationary element and the lower or punch plate the companion movable element, as in the patented construction. Each of said plates or elements consists of a flat foundation plate or carrier, and a series of blocks connected thereto and capable of re-arrangeinent accordantly with the various patterns to be produced, and in addition the die plate embodies a set of interchangeable ejectors, all hereinafterY described in detail.

In the case of the die plate, the foundation plate or carrier is indicated at a, and is formed with transverse openings a',

which are spaced apart at regular intervalsu The die blocks d are or may be solid, and, in the construction illustrated, are square; though they may have other shapes, for instance, right-angled triangles, the two re- Y mainmg angles of which are C? each, in

which instance either square or triangular patterns may be producech These blocks are arranged against the under face of the foundation plate, and are retained in place by means of their upstanding shanlrs CZ', which extend through the holes or openings a and are fitted with nuts a2, the latter being tightened against the upper face of the foundation plate. The construction of the punch plate is substantially the same as that of the die plate, in so far as the said punch plate comprises a foundation plate c formed with holes c arranged similarly to the holes a in the plate a, and a series of square blocks g similar to the die bloclrs d and having threaded Shanks g which are inserted through the holes c and fitted with retain Ving nuts c?, the blocks and nuts being arranged, respectively, against the upper and lower faces of plate c.

As above explained, the sets of die and punch blocks d and g are disposed upon their respective foundation plates or carriers t and c in such a way as to conform the spaces between the die blocks, just as in the patented apparatus they` were forced into the apertures'in thedie plate. See Fig.v el of the patent.

ln carrying out the stamping operation, the sheet of solid color linoleum is placed upon a templct l) (Fig. 1), which is located between the die and punch plates and is directly "associated with the latter plate.`

rlhis templet corresponds to the guide plate of the patented apparatus and is, of course, provided with openings arranged in pres cisely the same manner andhaving exactly the same size and shape as the punch blocks, so that it may be fitted over said blocks in the way shown in Fig. land yieldingly supported above the foundation c in V such a position that its upper face is normally flush with the upper 'faces of the punch blocks. ln actual practice, a separate templet is required for each'pattern; and in assembling the parts, after a pattern has Vbeen selected, the corresponding templet is laid over the foundation plate and the blocks g then inserted through the openings in the templet and fixed to the foundation plate, after which the die blocks l are `fixed to their plate a in the proper positions. Hence the punch blocks are forced to move through the openings in theV templet during the punching operation, owing to the yielding support provided for the templet, the edges of the openings in the latter serving to scrape or remove from the sides of the punch block any linoleum debris which may `have adhered thereto at such time.

In order to remove the tessera@ h from the spaces between the die blocks, and to deposit them inthe precise position required iseosab 'usable t@ `amplifypunches which win eut than slight-1y smaller than the size acuniiy required in the njnishea nnieum. In` this case, as einen in Figs. 3 'and 4, the rounda- .non plate a of the ai@ `plate may 4be ruf-1- `'f ii'shec'l on `its lower iiafce with a .grid or the like c', which is formed of ,narrow intersecting strips or plates of steel "so arranged as to providepockets orreces'ses of the size 'of the fdie blocks d; and thelattermay be inserted finto some of `these pockets to "lill them up,

and to 'strengthen the grid though this Vis not always necessary. 'The depth of thel pockets is preferably the same as the height of the die blocks cl, so that 'the ir'ree edges 4t-he fpockets the jblo'cks will be Hush. The

punch blocks' g are caused toenterthe op- =posite pockets during `the cutting operation,

and in such case the cutting action will be effected byy the 4movement olf the punch.blocks past the edges of 'said pockets`;"but only the edges 'of those pockets which the punch blocks enter will-be enabledto eXert a eutting orshejaring action, the remaii'iinlg edges l having no eiiect whateveruponjthe,linolern sheet or blank. `The punch 'plate remains exactly the same, except-ing `that the `sides ,of the punchblocks, or their projections, do not connect,but leave a spacebetween 'them equal to 'the thickness of thestrips' oir' which thegr'id is n'ade.

ljlaving thus described any sai'd'ihvention and the best means "I know for carrying Athe 'same into practical eifeft, 11 'claim l. A die plate for laid linoleurn Inachines, eo'mprisng: ja ndation plate; and

.a f,Siries of symmetrical blocks arranged .on Isaid foundation plate in such a manner that .the spaces left betvveen` 'them eiractly correspond in size, shapeand lrelative position to `,the tesserae "of any single color 'in a vfinished linoleum o'il the particular ipattern'to be produced ;,said` spaces being designed to Vdirectly receive therein 'the tesserae 'cut from a strip of l'in'oleunl of such color during the cutting dperatfion, whereby the said tesserae may be depositedfrom said die plate directly upon the backing strip in the precise arrangement requre'dlfor `the 1finished ,-'linoleninl 2. A die plate orfi'nlaid linoleum niachines, comprising'za {foundatin plate; and a seriesof symmetrical blocks arranged on said foundation plate in such ainanner that the spaces leftrbetweenthem exactly correspond in size, shape and relative positionto the tesserae of lany single color in a finished linoleum of the particular pattern Ato beproduced; said spaces being designed to directly tra receive therein the tesserae .cut from a strip of lin-oleuni of such color 'diir-ing the cutting operation, whereby the said tesserae may be deposited from "said die `plate directly upon `the backing strip the preeisearranrgement required for `the finished linoleum; said foundation having whereby the arrangement of the blocks thereon may be varied, so as to prov-ide for Wiriation of nthe pattern. i l

`3.' A die or punch 'plate for inlaid 4linoleuin machines, comprising `a iouilidation plete providdwith holes `which are regulfarly spaced from one another; and 'a ser-ies of *symmetrical 'blocks having Ystems for i`nterchaiigeable eng-agement in said holes, so to permit their arrangement according Sto diderent predetermined patterns said blocks,

Vwhen so arranged, or the spaces between them, exactly corresponding in size, shape and relative position, to the size, shape and relative position of fthe `tesserae 'of any "one color in aiinished linoleuni ofthe particular pfatternto be produced. 1

4L, In -inlaid linoleum machine, means for cutting or stamping the tesserae of solid color linoleum, comprising: a die plate consisting of "a fohndfation fplate having la series of symmetrical blocks arranged thereon in such a manner that the spaces left between them correspond in size, shape and relative position 'to the tesserze oi any single color in ainished Linoleum of the particular pattern to be produced; and a punch plate v'consisting of a foundation plate 'having mounted `tlfierein a series of "symmetrical lcutting of `symmetrical blocks arranged thereon in `such a manner that the spaces left between them, correspond in size, shape and -relatiye Vposition to the tesserze of any single 'color Ain a finished linoleum of the particular pattern to be produced; and a punch plate Consisting of a foundation plate having inountred therein a series oi' symmetrical ycutting blocks whose arrangement is such tha-ttlie outline of said `cutting blocks "coincides with that of spaces, so` that the former will `=project into the `latter duri-ng the lcutting operation and will introduce the cut ,or s'tarnped out Vtessera 'thereinto, whereby the saidtesserae may be deposited from said die plate directly upon the backing strip in the precise arrangement required for vthe finished linoleum, each of said foundation plates having means whereby the arrangement of the blocks thereon may be varied, so as to provide for variation of the pattern.

G. In an inlaid linoleum machine, a die plate comprising: a foundation plate; a series of symmetrical blocks carried by said foundation plate and arranged thereon in such a manner that the spaces left between them will correspond in size, shape and relative position to the tesserof any single color in a finished linoleum of the particular pattern to be produced; and a grid Carried by said foundation plate and having symmetrically-arranged recesses conforming to the size and shape of said blocks, so as to receive the latter therein and be filled thereby; the remaining recesses in said grid being designed to directly receive therein the Vvtesserae cut from a strip of such color during the cutting operation, whereby the said ,tesserae may be deposited from said die plate directly upon the backing strip in the precise arrangement required for the finished linoleum.

7. In an inlaid linoleum machine, a die plate comprising; a foundation plate; a series of symmetrical blocks carried by said foundation plate and arranged thereon in such-a manner that the spaces left between themwill correspond in size, shape and relative position to the tesserae of any single color in a finished linoleumof the particular pattern to be produced; and a grid carried by said foundation plate and composed of thin, intersecting plates providing symmetrically-arranged recesses conforming to the size and shape of said blocks, so as to receive the latter therein and be filled thereby; the remaining recesses in said grid being designed to directly receive therein the tesserae cut from a strip of such color during the cutting operation, whereby the said tesserae may be deposited from said die plate directly upon the backing strip in the precise arrangement required for the finished linoleum.

8. In an inlaid linoleum machine, a die plate comprising: a foundation plate; a grid mounted on the face of said foundation and having symmetrical openings; and a series of symmetrical blocks adapted to conformably fit said recesses and to be variably inserted therein and arranged in such a manner that the spaces between the recesses occupied by said blocks will correspond in size, shape and relative arrangement tothe tesserae of any single colorin a finished strip of linoleum of the particular pattern to loe produced, said spaces being designed to directly receive therein the tesserae cut from a strip of such color during the cutting operation, whereby the said tesserae may be deposited from said die plate directly upon the Y backing strip in the precise arrangement rel quired for thefinished linoleum.

9. In an inlaid linoleum machine, a die plate comprising: a foundation plate; y a series of symmetrical blocks arranged on said foundation platein such a mannerV that spond in size, shape and relative'position to the tesserae of anysingleV color in a finished linoleum of the particular pattern to be produced, said spaces being Adesigned to directly Y said foundation plate in such a manner thatv the spaces left betweenthem exactly correspond in size, shapeand relative position to the tesserae of any single color in a finished linoleum of the particular pattern to be produced, said spaces beingdesigned to directly receive therein the tesserae cut from a strip of linoleum of such color'during the cutting operation; and plungers mounted in said spaces to eject the tesserae from the same and` deposit them directly upon the backing strip in the precise arrangement required for the finished linoleum; said4 foundation plate having meanswhereby-the arrangement of both the blocks and the Vplungers may be varied,'so as to `provide for variation of the pattern.

11. A die or punch plate for inlaid linoleum machines, comprising: a foundation plate; and a series of symmetrical blocks arranged on said foundation plate in such a manner that either said plates, or the spaces between them, correspond exactly in size, shape andrelative position to the tesserae of any single `color in a nished linoleum of the particular pattern to be produced;rsaid foundation plate having means'whereby the arrangement of the blocks thereon may be varied, so as to provide for variation of the pattern. Y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES HERBERT SCOTT. Witnesses:

C. L. HOPKINS, KENNETH L. STEWARD.

VCopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents. I Washington, D. C. p

the spaces left between them exactly corre-` 

